Daddy's Turn

Heather is in Mexico for a wedding, so I thought I'd jump in and provide a couple quick 'Daddy updates'. The opportunities to do so, are few and far between.

Trees are very confused out here. It's 12/18 and they still don't know if they should be green, colored, or bare. Regardless, this is the Nor Cal version of Xmas Lights (courtesy of our front yard):

My conference room received some new artwork this past week...every startup needs some flare:

Brady wishing (and writing) Mommy were home :(

Some fun and excitement today when a moving truck knocked down a tree across the street. Brady was happier than a pig in you know what when he saw the police cars, cherry pickers and chain saws!

Finally, what would a boys weekend be, without a little goofing around:

Trying out the potty

For some reason, Brady developed a fear of his little duck potty, so its gotten a little dusty over the last few weeks. But with the help of our dear friends M and M, we're starting to get him interested again.

Tonight, we thought we hit the jackpot. Brady told his Daddy he had to go poop, so we promptly sat him on the pot. After letting out a very dramatic grunt, we were positive that he had actually "gone" this time (he's never done that before), so we got very, very excited. Brady proudly took his 4 M&M's, then stood up to reveal... absolutely nothing.

Turns out the kid is just one. big. faker.

At least we got some good pics of the non-occasion.

Enjoy your M&M kid!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas?!

It's hard to get into the holiday spirit when it's sunny and 60 degrees. Believe me, I'm not complaining, but it just doesn't feel very Christmas-y to us here in CA. Very few people even decorate their homes and I can understand why.... lights just look stupid on a house without snow! In fact, they look like those houses that still have their lights up come April in Chicago (damn hillbillies!)

For the 3rd year in a row, we (Matt) opted not to buy a Christmas tree. This, however, is the only year the reason made sense. Just don't need one when we're going to be in Chicago for the big day (yeah!!) So, for the 3rd year in a row, we pulled out this pathetic 3' artificial tree so Brady could display his special ornaments.

Brady had a great time trimming his own little tree and Mom and Dad couldn't have been more happy while watching. It's really true what they say, holidays come alive again once you have kids. We cannot wait for Christmas day!

Assembling the sorry little tree

Brady and Daddy placing the ornaments

Brady checking out the "family snowflake"

Putting on the iconic "E"

The ornament Brady got the day he was born

"Looks good right there!"

A post-tree trimming kiss for Daddy

What spins around...

... must fall down! Brady was "dancing" to his Thanksgiving card from Grandma and Grandpa Eatherton when... well, you'll see. Rest assured, he shook it off like a champ.

Disclaimer: Mom had nothing to do with the making of this video.

Thanksgiving

This year we celebrated Thanksgiving a little differently... It was hard being away from our families on such a special occasion, but we enjoyed the challenge of cooking our first ever Thanksgiving feast. Mini-feast. So what if it was only a 4 lb. turkey breast... we resisted the urge to order a pre-made Thanksgiving meal from Whole Foods, and that says a lot!

We also resisted the urge to eat on paper plates in our pajamas. Ok, Brady ate on a paper plate, but who would have known?!

A pre-dinner stroll to burn off some energy

Skyping everyone at Grandma & Grandpa Eatherton's

The sucker is key to keeping this one still!

Tinley thinks he's at Papa's house, looking for scraps

Brady approves of Daddy's mashed potatoes

Post-dinner zoning out at TV, in true Thanksgiving fashion

We have so much to be thankful for,
We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving too!

Brady's got a new ride...

Wearing Daddy's co-workers motorcycle helmet. He was on cloud nine!

Last week, in photos!

Brady had a great time last week. On Wednesday, he met his friends Lyla, Bella and Bella (yes, that's two Bellas) at Happy Hallow Park & Zoo in San Jose. We heard about this place a long time ago, but never made it there for some reason. Man have we missed out! Brady enjoyed riding his first rides solo (cars and butterflies) as well as seeing a handful of animals. Okay, mostly lemurs, but still... he liked them!

Brady, Bella and Lyla

Brady with Lyla and Lyla's Mommy Jolie

Bella, Bella (hidden by first Bella) and Brady

Papa Stetzer was in town for work last week, so we got to see him for dinner on Wed. and Thurs., and then he spent the whole weekend here! Brady had a great time "chasing", "racing", "tackling", "wrestling"... and all the other boy things Brady is into these days.

On Sat., we checked out the Oakland Zoo for the first time and found it much more impressive than the San Fran Zoo. Brady had a great time running around looking for elephants and zebras, and was highly entertained by a "show" that a cage full of monkeys put on as we were leaving. Mom was scared to death, but Brady held it together. Just ask, he'll tell you all about the "screaming monkey"!

A sucker always cures the "I don't want to ride in the stroller" blues

That ape staring at my son stirred up quite a bit of trouble later in the day!

Papa pointing out the monkeys

Brady brushing a goat. And no, he didn't cause that bald spot.

It was hard to say good-bye to Papa, but we're looking forward to seeing him in a few weeks. We can't wait to spend some good old-fashioned quality time with all the family in Dec.!